So... since the last time I posted here, rather a lot has happened. It is both my defence for not having posted, and the reason I really should have done so. I am sorry. Anyway...
I wrote a book. The manuscript for the 8th Rowland Sinclair Mystery, tentatively titled Fellow Travellers, Bloody Oaths has been completed and duly submitted to my publishers. It will be released in 2017. I shall keep you posted.
I also re-edited a couple of novels for US release. The Rowland Sinclair Mysteries will be launched in the New World on 7 June 2016 with A Few Right Thinking Men. A Decline in Prophets will follow in December, with a new book released every 6 months till we're all caught up. Poisoned Pen Press will publish my books in America.
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Before entering the hermit like writing months I spent November and December at launch events for Give the Devil His Due, launching at Readings in company of with the spectular Angela Savage, speaking at the Kings Cross Library with my talented colleague and dear friend P.M. Newton, launching with more cake at Writers Unleashed, speaking at the delightful Penrose Hall and the Tom Keneally Library at Sydney Mechanics Society, presenting with the sharp and brilliant Kaaron Warren at the Museum of Australian Democracy - Old Parliament House. I also had the chance to spend a glorious curious day at the Australian National Maritime Museum researching a new series, with the help of the wonderful , generous librarians in their research library.
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In April, once I'd finished Rowly 8, I taught a class on Crime Writing at the Queensland Writers' Centre, met some wonderful writers and hopefully imparted a little experience, if not wisdom, as well as the odd cupcake.
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I have the honour of being the patron of the Snowy Readers and Writers Festival and spent the Easter weekend in Jindabyne at the Childrens' Book Events where I taught a bunch of homicidal teens how to the write the perfect murder!
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I also managed to get to Sydney to observe recording of Give The Devil His Due for Audiobook. Rupert Degas (the narrator) is a genius! The Audiobooks will be out beginning June and I can't wait to hear them myself!
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May brought the the Sydney Writers' Festival and the news that Give the Devil His Due had been shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Association Award. One of four titles in the Best Book by a Small Publisher category it had the distinction of being the only fiction title to make the list. The category was won by one of my husband's favourite writers, Matthew Condon, for All Fall Down. The Awards dinner was fabulous, a gathering of the greatest names in Australian writing... I managed to reverse photo bomb Tim Winton, Tom Kenneally and David Malouf. The wonderful Scott Whitmont (Lindfield Bookshop), Craig Kirchner (Abbey's) and my dear publishers posed knowingly.
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At the Festival I gave a masterclass to some very talented people on the art of genre-blending and appeared on a panel entitled Animating History with Jami Attenberg (Saint Maizie) and David Dyer (The Night Watch), at the most spectular venue on the end of a wharf. I also had the previlege of experience the extraordinary Kate Tempest live at the festival opening, in the company of my friend and fellow writer Malla Nunn. We both came away wishing we could have shared the experience of Kate with everybody we loved.
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Once again I was away from home for my birthday, though I did catch up with Michael as he went through Sydney on and unrelated trip. The day was made perfect with a long, indulgent, conversation High Tea at the Queen Victoria Building with my beautiful agent Jo.
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That's about it, I think. You're up to speed. I hope your lives have been full and happy in the last 6 months too. xx